Summary

In this episode, Mike Smith and Ryan Roghaar interview Jon Morris, CEO and founder of Fiscal Advocate, discussing his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of a CEO, the importance of mentorship, and the decision-making process in business.

Jon shares insights on goal setting, differentiation in a crowded market, and the significance of sales and marketing budgets. He emphasizes the need for constant innovation and the importance of tracking success through metrics and KPIs.

Takeaways

• Surrounding yourself with mentors is crucial for growth.
• The role of a CEO evolves as the company grows.
• Execution is often more challenging than generating ideas.
• Setting clear goals and budgets is essential for success.
• Differentiation in a crowded market requires unique value propositions.
• Decision-making is a blend of data and instinct.
• Investing in innovation is key to staying competitive.
• Sales and marketing budgets should be prioritized for growth.
• Tracking metrics helps in understanding business performance.
• Building a product requires constant feedback and iteration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Morris and His Journey

03:22 The Evolution of a CEO: Stages of Growth

06:06 Learning from Experience: Mentorship and Growth

09:02 Deciding to Exit: The Sale of Rise Interactive

12:14 Executing Ideas: The Challenge of Implementation

14:59 Goal Setting and Accountability in Business

18:05 Differentiation in a Crowded Market: Rise Interactive's Strategy

28:15 Recruiting for Success: The Finance Advantage

29:42 Data-Driven Marketing: The Analytics Revolution

31:53 Differentiation: The Two Question Test

35:51 Decision Making: Balancing Data and Instinct

42:22 R&D: Innovation in Service-Based Businesses

52:35 Sales and Marketing: Finding the Right Spend

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Torkil Færø discusses the importance of heart rate variability (HRV) as a key indicator of health and wellness. He emphasizes the role of technology, particularly wearables, in monitoring health metrics and how lifestyle choices, such as sleep and alcohol consumption, significantly impact overall health. The discussion also touches on the shift towards preventative care and the need for individuals to take charge of their health through informed choices and self-monitoring.

Takeaways

• Heart rate variability is a crucial health indicator.
• Modern diseases often stem from stress and inflammation.
• Sleep quality directly affects health outcomes.
• Wearables provide valuable insights into personal health.
• Alcohol consumption can severely impact recovery and health.
• Lifestyle changes can reverse negative health trends.
• Preventative care is essential for long-term health.
• Understanding your body metrics empowers better health decisions.
• The healthcare system often focuses on treatment rather than prevention.
• Self-monitoring can lead to significant health improvements.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Health and Longevity

03:03 Heart Rate Variability: A Key Indicator

06:10 Understanding Stress and Health

09:10 The Role of Sleep in Health

12:01 The Impact of Alcohol on Health

15:08 Wearable Technology and Health Tracking

18:14 Personal Health Data and Trends

21:04 Night Shift Work and Health Risks

24:04 Reversibility of Health Issues

27:13 Conclusion and Actionable Insights

33:09 Gamification of Health: Personal Experiments

34:02 Transformative Health Changes: Diet and Sleep Apnea

36:43 Breathing Techniques: The Science Behind Nose Breathing

38:46 Inflammation and Heart Rate Variability: Understanding the Connection

41:01 Monitoring Health: When to Seek Medical Attention

42:52 Self-Diagnosis: Analyzing Health Metrics

44:40 The Role of Wearables in Preventative Health

46:40 The Shift in Healthcare: From Treatment to Prevention

50:07 Empowering Personal Health: Taking Control

52:25 The Future of Healthcare: You as Your Own Doctor

55:21 Navigating Health Data: Understanding Your Metrics

58:11 Comparing Health Trackers: Which is Best for You?

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this episode, Ryan & Mike interview Benjamin Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Particle 41. They discuss Benjamin's journey in tech entrepreneurship, the importance of building elite teams, and the role of a fractional CTO. Benjamin shares insights on navigating startup challenges, defining a minimum viable product (MVP), and the dynamics of team velocity in development. The conversation emphasizes the significance of focus, collaboration, and strategic planning in achieving business goals.

Takeaways

• Benjamin Johnson's journey in tech began with an online travel agency.
• Outsourcing can be beneficial if done with the right principles and practices.
• Focus is crucial for startups to avoid spreading resources too thin.
• A fractional CTO can provide valuable insights and guidance for startups.
• Defining a clear MVP helps in prioritizing features and development efforts.
• Team dynamics and clear roles enhance productivity and project success.
• Engagements with clients often lead to long-term partnerships.
• Understanding the client's business tools is essential for effective collaboration.
• Cloud solutions offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness for startups.
• Effective communication and planning are key to successful project transitions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Benjamin Johnson and His Journey

08:03 The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Vetting Ideas

09:27 The Birth of Particle 41 and Its Mission

11:52 Understanding the Fractional CTO Role

20:38 Engagements and Setting Goals with a CTO

22:09 Understanding OKRs: A Goal-Setting Framework

24:06 Deconstructing Ideas: The Importance of Clarity

26:51 Minimum Viable Product: Focusing on Core Features

29:22 The Role of Focus in Development

30:55 Choosing the Right Tech Stack

34:24 Team Velocity: Building Effective Development Teams

40:44 Transitioning from Project Completion to Ongoing Maintenance

43:13 Engaging with Clients: Setting Goals and Expectations

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this episode of EGGS: The Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike engage in a deep conversation with audio producer Josh Rogosin, exploring his journey from theater to audio production, the evolution of the Tiny Desk Concerts, and his new ventures with Global Sound Concerts and Ghostlight Concerts. They discuss the importance of field recording, ambisonic techniques, and the impact of technology on music experiences. Josh shares memorable performances, the challenges of capturing live music, and his aspirations for the future as he transitions into entrepreneurship.

Bio for Josh: Josh Rogosin defined the sound of NPR‘s popular music series, Tiny Desk concerts. His mixes have been heard on YouTube over a billion times. Now he’s starting 2 new series, Global Sound and Ghost Light concerts. He's traveling the world finding musicians where they are from, to learn why being from that place inspires them to make music. He’s the Anthony Bourdain of music discovery. But instead of food, Rogosin’s passion for travel is guided by his quest to seek out new music in far flung places all over the globe. Support josh’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/joshrogosin

Takeaways

• Mexico is a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions.
• Josh's journey into audio production began with theater.
• Tiny Desk Concerts revolutionized how live music is presented.
• Global Sound Concerts aims to explore music across cultures.
• Field recording techniques enhance the authenticity of sound.
• Ambisonic recording creates immersive audio experiences.
• Capturing live music is about more than just sound quality.
• Technology bridges the gap between live and virtual experiences.
• Journalism plays a crucial role in music discovery.
• Transitioning to entrepreneurship opens new creative avenues.

Chapters

00:00 Cultural Roots and Personal Connection

02:51 The Journey to Audio Production

06:03 The Evolution of Tiny Desk Concerts

08:49 Global Sound Concerts: A New Chapter

12:08 Field Recording Techniques and Experiences

14:54 Ambisonic Recording and Spatial Audio

17:45 Capturing Live Music: The Art of Sound

21:09 The Impact of Technology on Music Experiences

23:55 The Role of Journalism in Music Discovery

27:09 Memorable Performances and Unique Challenges

30:05 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

32:52 Future Aspirations and Global Sound Concerts

36:05 Connecting with Artists and Building Community

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this episode, Jose Berlanga, CEO and founder of Houstonian Capital, shares his extensive journey as an entrepreneur, discussing the importance of resilience, navigating challenges, and the evolution of his business ventures, particularly in real estate. He emphasizes the need for quick decision-making during tough times and reflects on the lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis. Jose also highlights the significance of hard work, adaptability, and being open to opportunities to achieve long-term success.

Takeaways

• Resilience is crucial for entrepreneurs.
• Endurance helps in overcoming setbacks.
• Act quickly during business challenges.
• Success combines hard work and luck.
• Entrepreneurship requires a certain nature.
• Long-term thinking is vital in good times.
• It's acceptable to lose money, but not reputation.
• Immersion in work leads to success.
• Home runs in business are rare; persistence is key.
• Key principles of entrepreneurship evolve over time.

• 
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jose Berlanga

03:21 Jose's Entrepreneurial Journey

06:08 Resilience in Entrepreneurship

09:25 Navigating Business Setbacks

12:17 The Shift to Real Estate

15:09 Overcoming the 2008 Financial Crisis

29:53 Navigating Financial Loss and Resilience

33:03 Evolving Business Models in Real Estate

36:43 The Nature of Entrepreneurship: Born or Made?

41:05 The Importance of Being Open to Opportunity

53:41 Key Principles of an Entrepreneur's Journey

57:39 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:

⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠http://rogha.ar⁠⁠

Summary

In this episode, Jeroen Corthout, co-founder of SalesFlare, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a corporate background to founding a CRM tailored for small businesses. He discusses the challenges of building a software product in a saturated market, the importance of usability and automation, and the strategies for funding and hiring in a bootstrap environment. Jeroen emphasizes the significance of understanding customer needs and creating a product that genuinely helps sales teams succeed.

Takeaways

• Jeroen's journey began with a passion for building websites.
• He transitioned from engineering to marketing to gain business insights.
• SalesFlare was born out of frustration with existing CRMs.
• The development process involved significant customer feedback.
• Funding strategies included accelerators and government subsidies.
• Hiring should be approached with caution to maintain company culture.
• Usability and automation are key differentiators for SalesFlare.
• Building a network in incubators can accelerate growth.
• Choosing the right tech stack is crucial for development efficiency.
• SalesFlare focuses on small and medium-sized businesses for growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jeroen Corthout and SalesFlare

10:48 The Journey from Engineering to Entrepreneurship

22:09 Building SalesFlare: The Development Process

24:57 Bootstrapping a Software Business

26:24 Navigating Startup Funding and Financial Strategies

30:17 The Value of Accelerators and Incubators

34:12 Hiring Strategies for Startups

40:41 Choosing the Right Tech Stack

45:25 Selling the Product: Standing Out in a Crowded Market

Credits:

Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs⁠

Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!

⁠https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28⁠

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show

eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠djontic.com⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠http://rogha.ar⁠

Summary

In this conversation, Anthony Taylor of SME Strategy discusses the importance of business strategy as a series of choices that organizations must make. He emphasizes the need for clear destinations, alignment among team members, and the significance of setting realistic goals. Taylor shares insights on overcoming fear of failure, the process of strategic planning, and the steps to develop an effective strategy. He highlights the importance of focusing on outcomes and making decisions quickly to adapt to changing circumstances.

Takeaways

• Strategy is fundamentally about making choices.
• Clear destinations are essential for effective strategy.
• Alignment among team members is crucial for success.
• Setting realistic goals helps avoid the fear of failure.
• The benefit of the future must outweigh the pain of change.
• Organizations should celebrate their current state before moving forward.
• The strategic planning process is applicable to all organizations.
• Focus on outcomes rather than just activities.
• Make decisions quickly and iterate as needed.
• Definiteness of purpose helps avoid distractions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anthony Taylor and SME Strategy

01:43 Understanding Business Strategy as Choices

05:56 The Importance of Clear Destinations

09:24 Aligning Goals and Actions for Success

11:53 Insights from the Book 'Alignment'

14:58 The Balance of Goal Setting and Realism

18:24 Definiteness of Purpose in Entrepreneurship

21:19 Making Decisions and Opportunity Cost

27:25 Navigating Ideation and Execution

30:22 Understanding Product-Market Fit

33:07 Strategic Planning Essentials

35:23 The Strategic Planning Process

39:23 Setting Strategic Priorities

43:51 Adapting Plans in a Changing World

51:08 Overcoming Fear of Failure

----
Credits:
Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar
Produced by Ryan Roghaar
Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:
https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs
Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now! https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:
bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:
The Show
eggscast.com
@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pC
On Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher
Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic" shows and info
djontic.com
@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar
http://rogha.ar

Summary

In this conversation, Kyle McDowell shares his transformative journey from a successful corporate leader to an advocate for a more humane and collaborative approach to leadership. He discusses the principles he developed, centered around the concept of 'we', which emphasize teamwork, accountability, and interpersonal relationships. Kyle explains how these principles can be applied across various industries and the importance of leading by example. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating toxic work environments and the significance of measuring outcomes rather than mere activity. In this conversation, Kyle McDowell discusses the pitfalls of valuing busyness over productivity, the importance of accountability within teams, and the challenges of imposter syndrome. He emphasizes the need for clear expectations and principles in leadership, and how authenticity is crucial for successful organizational transformation. The dialogue also touches on personal growth and the realities of navigating corporate culture.

Takeaways

• Kyle McDowell's journey reflects a shift from traditional leadership to a more collaborative approach.
• The 'we' principles emphasize teamwork and accountability in the workplace.
• Apathy in corporate environments can lead to toxic cultures.
• Building strong interpersonal relationships is crucial for effective leadership.
• Leaders must lead by example to foster a positive work environment.
• The principles are agnostic and applicable across various industries.
• Personal accountability is essential for both leaders and team members.
• Creating an infrastructure of agreed-upon principles helps in accountability.
• Navigating toxic relationships requires discernment and self-awareness.
• Measuring outcomes rather than activity is key to true productivity. Busyness does not equate to productivity.
• Focus on delivering outcomes rather than just being busy.
• Accountability is key in high-performing teams.
• Imposter syndrome is common, even among successful leaders.
• Establishing clear expectations can enhance team performance.
• Authenticity is essential for meaningful organizational change.
• Leadership should prioritize people over results.
• Vulnerability can be a strength in leadership.
• Transformations require commitment, not just initiatives.
• You can achieve your goals with effort and determination.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kyle McDowell

00:27 Kyle's Corporate Journey and Transformation

04:00 The Shift from Command and Control to We Leadership

10:11 Scaling the We Principles in Large Organizations

13:11 The Agnostic Nature of We Principles

15:51 Personal Accountability and Interpersonal Relationships

20:22 Leading by Example and Building Infrastructure

24:48 Navigating Toxic Relationships and Communities

26:58 Measuring Outcomes Over Activity

28:06 The Illusion of Busyness

33:30 Expectations and Accountability in Teams

37:11 Navigating Imposter Syndrome

44:41 Pivots in Leadership and Personal Growth

51:20 Authenticity in Organizational Transformation

----
Credits:
Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar
Produced by Ryan Roghaar
Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Carton:
https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs
Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now! https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:
bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:
The Show
eggscast.com
@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pC
On Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher
Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic" shows and info
djontic.com
@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar
http://rogha.ar